USGS warns of up to 100,000 deaths after powerful Venezuela earthquakes; Trump pledges US aid

Caracas: US President Donald Trump on Thursday offered immediate American assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes devastated parts of the country, as US government scientists warned the eventual death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.

Meanwhile, Acting Venezuela President Rodríguez said there are at least 32 people dead and 700 injured. She warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers search collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach devastated areas.

The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck western Venezuela within seconds of each other, causing widespread destruction, collapsing buildings and triggering emergency rescue operations across several states.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump pledged swift US support for the disaster-hit nation.

Also read | Venezuela earthquakes: ‘We were walking and it was tossing us around,’ say Caracas residents

"The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!!!"

USGS warns of potentially massive death toll

The warning came as Venezuelan authorities continued to release limited information about casualties and damage more than five hours after the disaster.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed that fatalities had occurred but stopped short of providing an official death toll during a televised address.

Shortly after the earthquakes struck, the US Geological Survey's Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquake Response (PAGER) system estimated that the eventual death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000 people.

According to experts, the PAGER system rapidly analyses earthquake magnitude, depth, location, population density, historical earthquake data and building vulnerability to estimate likely impacts.

"Essentially, what it does is takes all known knowledge about the magnitude, depth, location, population density, historical earthquakes, and building inventory... and makes a prediction for what might be expected," geophysicist Vashan Wright of the University of California, San Diego, told Al Jazeera.

He added that, in many cases, the PAGER prediction "is quite close" to the actual toll.

The USGS said "High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread."

US mobilises search-and-rescue teams

As concerns mounted over the scale of the disaster, the United States began mobilising emergency assistance for Venezuela.

Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said a disaster assistance team and task force had already been activated to coordinate relief efforts with Venezuelan authorities.

"The @StateDept has already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to the Venezuelan people. Working with our partners in the interim Venezuelan government, the U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster."

Emergency crews were deployed across affected areas to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings and damaged structures.

According to the USGS, the first earthquake struck near San Felipe, about 284 kilometres west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT. It was followed almost immediately by a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake near Yumare, roughly 293 kilometres west of the capital.

The National Center for Seismology said the earthquakes occurred at a shallow depth of around 15 kilometres, increasing their destructive potential.

Earlier, Rodriguez had announced she would address the nation, posting on X: "Attention: shortly I will address Venezuelans to report on the situation following the strong earthquake that has affected our country."

Japan hit by strong earthquake

The Venezuela disaster came just hours after a separate major earthquake struck Japan's northern coast.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the eastern coast of Iwate Prefecture on Thursday morning, shaking parts of northeastern Japan and briefly disrupting rail services. Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat and no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.

The quake, felt as far away as Tokyo, prompted temporary safety inspections of bullet train services, while officials confirmed that nuclear facilities, including the Fukushima Daiichi plant, reported no abnormalities. Japan's meteorological agency warned residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks.